Packaging



Feb. 13, 1962 Filed OCT 5. 1959 W. E. PEGLOW PACKAGING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WILLIAM E FgggLow TOR.

/4'T TOR Y Uited States ate 3,020,692 PACKAGING William E. Peglow, Chicago, 11]., assignor to Swift & Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Oct. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 844,551 8 Claims. (Cl. 53-392) This invention deals in general with the art of enclosing product in a carton. More specifically, the invention deals with method and apparatus for folding a carton about a food product with a specified face of said carton contiguous to a selected surface of said product.

Modern packaging techniques are emphasized to aid in selling commodities. A neat and attractive package is often the determining factor in making sales. Furthermore, with many products, particularly food items, prospective consumers desire an opportunity to visually inspect the contents; and, therefore, a great number of food packages incorporate windows through which a substantial portion of the product may be seen. The trend is toward the use of multi-walled carton type packaging rather than a simple folder or bag. Today the consumer has a wide range of choice between products of various manufacturers and different items merchandized in such cartons. For instance, a wide variety of items such as sliced bacon, sausages of all types, dried meats, sliced tableready meats, sliced cheeses, etc., are commonly marketed in such packages by most major packers.

However, the costs of modern packaging, which must be borne by the manufacturer and passed on to the consumer, are relatively high. Factors influencing the total cost are the price of the carton blanks and the labor required to assemble the product and carton blank and fold the blank thereabout. While, as has been mentioned, a wide range of package blanks are available, they all require a great deal of human labor, as they generally must be assembled and folded by hand. Therefore, reducing the number of hand operations and speeding up the folding steps will result in substantial savings to the manufacturer, and ultimately to the consumer.

In the past, the usual procedure for filling and folding such cartons, which are sometimes referred to as wallet type cartons in the trade, has commenced with placing a carton face down on a flat work surface. An operator has then manually placed the required amount of product down on the face area (and upon the window, if any) of the carton and then folded the sides of the blank upwardly about the sides and uncovered surface of the product. The sides of the blank were then folded inwardly and, usually, at least two opposing portions locked together to close and complete the package.

This procedure has several disadvantages. First is the number and complexity of hand movements involved. Among other disadvantages is the fact that several products, particularly in the meat and cheese line, may have oily or greasy surfaces which, if moved across a carton window area, will smear it so as to obscure the contents, and the completed package will be unattractive. A further disadvantage is that if the product is placed down upon a window (which is usually a sheet of cellophane or other transparent film) it may often be wrinkled or creased, again resulting in an unattractive package. An additional disadvantage is that, where the product is placed down upon a specified face of a carton, great care must be exercised to properly position the product so that it will not be pinched when the sides of the blank are folded upwardly and across the product. Thus it may be seen that in general the old practice of placing the product down upon the carton is generally cumbersome and relatively slow if an attractive package is to be maintained. It also should not be forgotten that, where the old practice is carried out, it is necessary thatthe product be handled by the operator, thus increasing the chances of contaminating the product. The latter constitutes a major disadvantage where the product is a food material.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages in the art of packaging.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for reducing and simplifying the hand operations required to enclose product within a wallet-type carton.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for placing a carton blank against the designated contents, and then folding the carton blank completely about the contents.

A further object of the prwent invention is to provide a method and apparatus whereby a wallet-type carton having a window therein may be rapidly folded about the designated contents with the window properly aligned with a surface of the contents.

Fundamentally, this invention comprises the steps of assembling items of product in a group of the size and shape required for packaging, and then placing a carton blank across the upper surface of the assembled group of product so that the face portion of the carton is aligned with the surface. (Where the carton blank includes a window it will also be aligned with the upper surface of the product.) The carton blank and group of product is then inverted, while holding the product and carton blank substantially immovable relative to one another, and then the blank is folded about the remaining surfaces of the product. Finally, the carton blank is secured in the folded position to complete the package.

The invention also includes apparatus which an operator may employ when carrying out the above method. The device basically comprises an invertible means for receiving the product to be packaged, and one or more guide means adjacent the invertible means to properly align a carton blank with respect to product thereon.

One embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be expressly understood that said drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be taken as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for this purpose. In said drawings: 7

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus showing a quantity of product about to be placed upon an invertible platform;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 showing, in phantom, the initial position of a carton blank above the platform;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of one type of carton blank which may be used when carrying out the invention; and

FIGURE 4 schematically illustrates the sequence of steps in the invention.

Referring to FIGURE 1, it is usually convenient to first deposit the items of product generally 10, such as the illustrated sausage links, on a liner member 12. The liner may be either a flat sheet or cardboard or the like or a shallow pressed foil or fiber tray. The product is to be enclosed in a carton blank, generally 14 such as that illustrated in FIGURE 3. The carton blank 14 is usually in the form of a parallelogram having a plurality of perforated and scored lines defining a major face 16 (often including a window 18), and a plurality of flaps 20 and side walls 22 intermediate the flaps and face 16. Usually two opposing flaps are provided with a cooperating locking meanssuch as a tongue 24 and slot 26 combination as illustrated.

Returning to the structure illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the apparatus is supported on a fiat base 30. A

'vertical frame generally 32, comprising a pair of spaced 3 tion of an inverted T member 38. The base of the T member is secured to the upper surface of the base 30. Obviously the various parts of the apparatus may be secured to one another by means of nuts and bolts, as illustrated, or by brazing or welding.

A pair of guide templates 4t), 42 are secured near the top of angle irons 34, 36 (which in practice need only be about 8 to 10 inches high). The function of these templates will later become clear; however, the templates 40, 42 are shaped to conform with a corner or a side of a carton blank 14. In practice it has been found convenient to supply two templates for two different size carton blanks. Thus the same apparatus could be used for packaging, for instance, either one-half pound or onepound quantities of product. Similarly the two templates could also be designed so that the same apparatus could be employed to enclose product in either of two differently shaped carton blanks. In any instance one template 42 is preferably positioned slightly below and forward of the other template 40.

From just below the lower template 42 a cantiliver frame member 44 extends forwardly between angle irons 34, 36. An invertible platform 46 is pivotally supported at the end of the cantilever member 44. The platform 46 is normally positioned above the cantilever member 44 in an upright position. When in this position the rear edge of the platform nearest the template 40, 42 exhibits an upturned side piece 48. A pair of spaced depending flanges 50 are located at about the center of the platform. A pivot pin 52 extends through holes in the flanges 50 and a corresponding hole in the end of cantilever member 44. Thus the platform may be pivoted from the upright position (as shown in FIGURE 1) to an inverted position beneath the cantilever member 44.

The distances between the platform and templates 40, 42 are established by the size of the carton blanks and the amount of product to be enclosed therein. The templates 40, 42 are shaped, as seen in FIGURE 2, to conform with a portion of the periphery of a carton blank so that when an appropriate edge of a carton 14 is held against a tem plate, the major face 16 and window 18 (if provided) will be held in juxtaposition with the upper surface of product positioned against side piece 48 on the upright platform 46.

If desired, one or both templates may be secured in a well-known manner, such as by a threaded bolt and locknuts, so as to be adjustable with respect to the platform 46. In this way the apparatus may be adapted to accommodate an even greater range of carton blank sizes.

Preferably a magazine generally 54 for carton blanks is located to the rear and slightly above the upper template 40. In the described embodiment the magazine takes the form of an inclined pentagonal tray 56. The lowermost edge of the tray 56 is open, to facilitate removal of blanks, and the two adjacent edges have upturned sides 58 to hold a plurality of stacked cartons thereon. The magazine assembly is supported on an inclined frame member 60 extending rearwardly from between the angle irons 34, 36. It may be seen that a magazine of the type described will hold carton blanks with one flap 20 or corner of the blank downwardly. By holding the carton blanks in this posture, it is convenient for an operator, standing forwardly of platform 46, to reach across the templates 40, 42, grasp the lower corner of a carton blank 19 extending below the magazine 54, and remove it to a position with the far (upper with reference to the magazine 54) flap or corner held against the appropriate template.

To practice the invention, an operator first insures that a plurality of pre-bent blanks 14 are on magazine 54, and that the platform 46 is in the upright position. He then collects a group of items of product 10 and assembles them on the platform 46 against the side piece 48. The product may be assembled on the platform alone or carried there in preformed groups upon liners 12 as shown.

Often two or more layers of product will be stacked on the platform, and in such instances liners 12 will prove advantageous.

Referring to the illustrations of FIGURE 4, a single carton blank 14 is then removed from the top of the stack in magazine 54 and placed across the top of assembled product 10. The flap 20 or corner, as required, of the carton blank 14 is placed against the appropriate template 40 or 42 to bring the face 16 or the carton into juxtaposition with the upper surface of the product to be enclosed therein. Where a window 18 is provided in the face 16 the operator will also be able to visually check the position of the carton blank as it is placed on the product.

The next step is to partially bend some flaps 20 of the carton blank downwardly about the product on platform 46. For the carton illustrated it is desirable to fold the flaps located forwardly of the apparatus and to each side. In some operations it may be more convenient to bend only the flaps to each side of the apparatus. The operator, while holding the carton blank firmly against the product, then inverts platform 46 and the assemblage thereon.

When in the inverted position the carton blank and product are then lowered from platform 46 onto the surface of base 30. The product will already be partially enfolded in the carton and prevented from movement therein. It is then merely necessary to complete the folds forming the side walls 22 and turning the flaps 20 in upon the product. The package is completed by inserting the tongue 24 into slots 26 to lock the flaps 20 in place. Subsequently platform 46 is returned to the upright position and the preceding operations are repeated to form additional packages.

The foregoing description is for the purpose of complying with 35 USC 112, and I do not desire to be limited to the exact details shown and described, for obvious modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this most nearly appertains, and such modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. The method of enfolding product within a carton blank having a defined face, said method comprising: assembling a group of product in a position from which it may readily be inverted; placing said face of an unfolded carton blank in juxtaposition with the upper surface of said product; partially folding the carton blank downwardly about at least one side of said product; inverting said product and partially folded carton while preventing relative motion therebetween; and completing the folding of said carton completely about the product while in said inverted position.

2. The method of enfolding product within a carton blank having a defined face and fold lines, said method comprising: prebending the carton blank along at least part of the fold lines; assembling a group of product in a position from which it may readily be inverted; placing said face of said prebent unfolded carton blank in juxta position with the upper surface of said product; partially folding the carton blank downwardly about at least one side of said product; inverting said product and partially folded carton while preventing relative motion therebetween; and completing the folding of said carton completely about the product while in said inverted position.

3. The method of enfolding product within a carton blank having a defined face and window area therein, said method comprising: assembling a group of product in a position from which it may readily be inverted; placing said face and window of an unfolded carton blank in juxtaposition with the upper surface of said product; partially folding the carton blank downwardly about a plurality of sides of said product; inverting said product and partially folded carton while preventing relative motion therebetween; and completing the folding of said carton completely about the product while in said inverted position.

4. The method of enfolding product within a carton blank having a defined face, fold lines and window area therein, said method comprising: prebending the carton blank along at least part of the fold lines; assembling a group of product in a position from which it may readily be inverted; placing said face and window of said prebent unfolded carton blank in juxtaposition with the upper surface of said product; partially folding the carton blank downwardly about a plurality of sides of said product; inverting said product and partially folded carton while preventing relative motion therebetween; lowering the carton and product from said inverted position; and completing the folding of said carton completely about the product while in said inverted position.

5. Apparatus for assembling and folding a carton blank having a defined face therein about its contents, said apparatus comprising: a frame, an invertible platform pivotally connected to said frame, said platform having a normally horizontal surface for receiving said product pivotable between an upright and an inverted position; and a template guide corresponding to a peripheral segment of a carton blank fixedly positioned at a distance from said platform whereby said face of an unfolded carton blank will be in juxtaposition to said product on said platform when said peripheral segment of said blank is held against said template.

6. Apparatus for assembling and folding a carton blank having a defined face therein about its contents, said apparatus comprising: a frame; an invertible platform pivotally connected to said frame, said platform having a normally horizontal surface for receiving said product pivotable between an upright and an inverted position; a magazine for supporting a plurality of unfolded carton blanks, said magazine being connected to said frame spaced above and behind said platform; and a template guide corresponding to a peripheral segment of a carton blank fixedly positioned between said magazine and said platform at a distance from the latter whereby said face of said unfolded carton blank will be in juxtaposition to said product on said platform when the peripheral segment of said blank is held against said template.

7. Apparatus for assembling and folding acarton blank having a defined top face and window area therein about its contents, said apparatus comprising: a frame; an invertible platform pivotally connected to said frame, said platform having a normally horizontal surface for re ceiving said product pivotable between an upright and an inverted position, and an upturned guide member along an edge parallel to its axis of rotation; a magazine for supporting a plurality of unfolded carton blanks, said magazine being connected to said frame spaced from said platform; and a template guide corresponding to a peripheral segment of a carton blank fixedly positioned.

adjacent said platform guide at a distance therefrom whereby said face of an unfolded carton blank will be in juxtaposition to said product on said platform when said peripheral segment of said blank is held against the said template.

8. Apparatus for assembling and folding a carton blank having a defined top face and window area therein about its contents, said apparatus comprising: a base having a horizontal work surface; a frame extending generally vertically from said base; an invertible platform pivotally connected to said frame above said base, said platform having a normally horizontal product receiving surface pivotable between an upright and an inverted position, and an upturned guide member along an edge parallel to its axis of rotation; a magazine for supporting a plurality of unfolded carton blanks, said magazine being connected to said frame spaced above and behind said platform; and a template guide corresponding to a peripheral segment of a carton blank fixedly positioned between said magazine and said platform guide at a distance from the latter whereby the face of an unfolded carton blank will be in juxtaposition to the product on said platform when said peripheral segment of a blank is held against said template.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,652,669 Holtz Sept. 22, 1953 2,746,226 Donald May 22, 1956 2,901,873 Enos Sept. 1, 1959 

